coursing: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2Formal/Literary/Technical
Quick answer
What does “coursing” mean?
The sport of hunting hares, rabbits, or other game with dogs (typically greyhounds or other sighthounds) that pursue by sight rather than scent.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The sport of hunting hares, rabbits, or other game with dogs (typically greyhounds or other sighthounds) that pursue by sight rather than scent.
1. The action of flowing or running swiftly (as of a liquid or emotion). 2. The process of moving quickly through or over something.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
In the UK, 'coursing' is a specific, regulated (and controversial) field sport. In the US, the term is less common for the sport and more likely used in its literary sense of 'flowing'.
Connotations
UK: Strong association with rural tradition, animal rights debates, and class. US: Primarily a descriptive or literary term with fewer socio-political connotations.
Frequency
Higher frequency in UK English due to the sport's cultural presence. Rare in everyday American English.
Grammar
How to Use “coursing” in a Sentence
[coursing] + through + [object] (e.g., blood coursing through veins)[subject] + go + coursingthe coursing of + [noun]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “coursing” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- They were fined for coursing hares on protected land.
- The greyhounds went coursing across the open field.
American English
- She felt the blood coursing through her veins with fear.
- Tears were coursing down his cheeks.
adverb
British English
- The dog ran coursing after the mechanical lure. (rare, non-standard)
American English
- [Not standardly used as an adverb.]
adjective
British English
- He is a coursing enthusiast and belongs to a local club.
- The coursing season runs from autumn to spring.
American English
- The coursing river made the crossing dangerous. (literary)
- She described the coursing pain in her arm.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Virtually never used.
Academic
Used in historical, sociological, or animal studies contexts regarding the sport.
Everyday
Rare, except in discussions of the sport (UK) or in literary descriptions.
Technical
Specific to the field sport and its regulations; also in literary/poetic analysis.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “coursing”
- Using 'coursing' to mean 'taking a course of study' (incorrect). Confusing with 'coarsening'. Spelling as 'coursering'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. Coursing specifically involves sighthounds chasing hare or rabbit by sight, usually in an open field. Fox hunting typically involves a pack of scent hounds (foxhounds) and riders on horses.
In literary or figurative contexts, yes (e.g., 'coursing tears', 'coursing river'). In everyday language, it's less common and the sport sense dominates.
No, it is a low-frequency word (C2 level). Most learners will encounter it only in specific contexts related to the sport or in literary descriptions.
The base verb is 'to course', meaning to run or flow swiftly, or to hunt using coursing. The '-ing' form can be a gerund (noun) or present participle.
The sport of hunting hares, rabbits, or other game with dogs (typically greyhounds or other sighthounds) that pursue by sight rather than scent.
Coursing is usually formal/literary/technical in register.
Coursing: in British English it is pronounced /ˈkɔːsɪŋ/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈkɔːrsɪŋ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[Feel] the blood coursing through one's veins (to feel alive/excited).”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
COURSE + ING. Imagine a dog running a COURSE, ING (chasing) a hare.
Conceptual Metaphor
EMOTION/ENERGY IS A FLUID (e.g., adrenaline coursing through her body).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'coursing' used most specifically in British English?